Accessibility Links

Repeal appeal: artists lead the pro-choice fight

From Maser to Tara Flynn and Eva O’Connor — Steve Cummins takes a look at the art inspired by next month’s referendum on reforming abortion law

Steve Cummins

April 20 2018, 12:01am, The Times

Maser’s mural in Temple Bar, DublinNIALL CARSON/PA WIRE

Nina Simone once asked: “How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?” Yet for long periods it seemed many musicians, writers and film-makers were intent on proving her wrong.

Over the past 20 years there has been a dearth of young, mainstream artists making work that holds a mirror to the issues of the day. Too often it has been left to the older generation — people such as Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Billy Bragg — to wave the flag of protest.

That has begun to shift: the divisive debate around the referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment, which gives equal rights to the life of the woman and the unborn child, has led to an explosion of films, plays, music…

Want to read more?

Subscribe now and get unlimited digital access on web and our smartphone and tablet apps, free for your first month.